Seoul Denies $40 Billion N.Korea Deal 'for Now' -- Chosun Ilbo
South Korea has denied a report in the Financial Times that it has set up a US$40 billion aid fund to entice North Korea back to denuclearization talks. Officials here said the report resulted from a misunderstanding that a campaign pledge by President Lee Myung-bak had been turned into policy.
But oddly, South Korean officials said the article was "not necessarily incorrect from a long-term perspective." One key government official was even more forthcoming. "With South Korea and the United States reaching an understanding on a comprehensive package that envisages putting all issues on the negotiating table, we need to offer North Korea a bunch of carrots if it decides to completely abandon its nuclear program," he said. President Lee's 'Vision 3000: Denuclearization and Openness' concept must form the framework of those incentives. And the FT report appeared just as this idea was gaining traction at the international level, according to the official.
The "Vision 3000" promises to help North Korea boost its per-capita gross national income to $3,000 if it abandons its nuclear program and opens up.
Read more ....
My Comment: Sadly .... this report is probably true. What is also true is that appeasement does not work. If the South Korea thinks that they can pay off the thugs who rule North Korea .... they will be sadly mistaken .... again.